TCS Sydney Marathon
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Abbott World Marathon Majors
The Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) is a series of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world - Tokyo Marathon, B.A.A. Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon.
Encompassing an annual series for elite runners and elite wheelchair athletes, AbbottWMM also applauds the achievements and passion of hundreds of thousands of everyday champions from around the world. With incredible demand globally to take part in the events, each race providers an unparalleled experience, and an unforgettable race-day journey for runners.
The TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS underwent a multi-year process that required each year to pass AbbottWMM’s criteria for two consecutive years, before becoming the next Abbott World Marathon Major. Through significant increase in marathon participation - from 5,300 in 2022 to 25,000 in 2024 - several updates to the start area and the course, a huge uplift in entertainment and fan zones, and delivering a world-class event fit for the Majors series.
The TCS Sydney Marathon was announced as the seventh AWMM on Monday, 4th November 2024, with Sydney’s first year as a Major taking place on Sunday, 31st August 2025.Yes! Completing the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS will earn you a star, just like any other of the other Abbott World Marathon Majors.
For more information on the Six-Star journey and Sydney’s involvement, visit Abbott World Marathon Majors - https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/six-star
Candidacy Club
Anyone who completed the TCS Sydney Marathon during our candidacy years (2022, 2023, 2024), is automatically part of our Candidacy Club!
Part of this Candidacy Club involves a guaranteed entry to the Sydney Marathon now that the TCS Sydney Marathon is now an Abbott World Marathon Major (valid for 3 years).
If you are a part of this club, you received an email at 8:00am AEDT, Wednesday 13th November to explain the next steps on how to enter the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon.
If you did not finish the marathon in this year’s event (and have not finished the marathon in the previous 2 years), you will not be eligible for guaranteed entry, however you will be able to submit an application in our general ballot (more details below).
Registration & Entry
We truly appreciate your enthusiasm and interest in getting involved next year!
Due to unprecedented demand to take part in the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, we are combined with the Candidacy Club members who have guaranteed their spot in one of the next three events (2025, 2026 or 2027), we are hosting two ballots for the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon:
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The Candidacy Club ballot
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The General ballot
If you completed the TCS Sydney Marathon during our Candidacy period - either in 2022, 2023 and/or 2024 - you have been notified at 8:00am AEDT, Wednesday 13th November about the next steps towards registering.
If you are wanting to join the newest Major, we welcome you to enter the general ballot, of which details will be available in December.
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All Candidacy Club members received an Expression of Interest form to choose their first and second preference on which year they'd like to run. The Expression of Interest is now closed for 2025. If you would like to run in 2025, you will need to join the General Ballot.
Ballot Timeline
The Candidacy Club ballot will open at 10:00 AM AEDT on 26 November 2024 and close at 11:59PM AEDT on 2 December 2024 with instructions sent via email on how to enter the ballot.
Successful applicants will have their nominated card charged during 5-6 December 2024 AEDT and receive a confirmation email.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email during the same period that they have been advanced into their second preference.
There is a limit of one ballot entry per individual in the Candidacy Club ballot.
There is no action needed in 2025 if you have selected to run in 2026 or 2027. We will send out instructions for 2026 after the 2025 event and apply the same process for 2027 after the 2026 event.
The General Ballot will run from 10:00 AM AEDT on 10 December to 11:59 PM AEDT on 30 December.
This is not a first-come, first-served system—every application is equally considered in a random draw.
Successful applicants will be notified and charged between 8–9 January 2025 AEDT, with a confirmation email to follow. Please ensure the email address entered is correct before submitting your application.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive information on alternative ways to secure a spot, including our Travel and Charity Programs.
There is a limit of one ballot entry per individual in the General ballot.
For anyone who is successful in either the Candidacy Club ballot, or the General ballot, their details are automatically confirmed once payment has been processed, and will be sent confirmation of their entry.
This 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon confirmation email, which will be sent shortly after payment has been received, is the participant's ticket to run in the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon.During your ballot entry, you will be asked to enter your payment details. Please ensure the card has at least 6 months expiry and has a minimum of $250 AUD available to ensure the funds for the entry can be deducted successfully.
Candidacy Club
Successful applicants will be charged the entry fee across 48 hours from 5-6 December 2024 AEDT. Once all cards have been charged, successful applicants will receive a confirmation email of their entry into the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon on 9 December 2024 AEDT. Please ensure the email address entered is correct before submitting your application.
General Ballot
Successful applicants will be charged the entry fee across 48 hours from 8–9 January 2025 AEDT. Once all cards have been charged, successful applicants will receive a confirmation email of their entry into the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon on 8–9 January 2025 AEDT. Please ensure the email address entered is correct before submitting your application. Unsuccessful applicants will receive information on alternative ways to secure a spot, including our Travel and Charity Programs.
Please note your card will only be charged if you are successful in the ballot process - funds will not be deducted if you are unsuccessful in either ballot.All Candidacy Club ballot entries and General ballot entries are non-transferable and non-refundable.
All Candidacy Club ballot entries and General ballot entries cannot be deferred to a later year once they are confirmed. The entry will be forfeited if you choose not to participate.
We are currently establishing our time qualification criteria. More information to come.
